Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
If desired, cook bacon in a baking dish a few
minutes to release excess fat. Drain and cool the partially cooked bacon.
Stuff each date with a pecan half. (If using large dates, use two pecan halves.) Wrap 1 piece of bacon around each stuffed date and secure with a toothpick. Place in a dish or cookie sheet with sides. Bake until bacon is crisp, 12 to 15 minutes. Drain and serve.